The Short Story About Emotional and Mental Disorders: What You Don’t Know Will Surprise You! We know you’re in a hurry!

Overview

Is There a Correlation Between PCOS and Depression?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) greatly increases the odds of a woman developing depression. Various hormones, along with coping with a difficult medical condition, are the culprits. Depression can be an especially troubling symptom of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), as it depletes your energy to seek help and make changes. Although emotional consequences of PCOS can be devastating, there is something you can do. A healthy lifestyle, which includes a nutritious diet, plentiful exercise, nutritional supplements and/or prescription medications, can help you bring your PCOS depression under control.

Causes

Understanding PCOS and Insulin Resistance

In insulin resistance the body produces insulin; however, it doesn’t use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose (a form of sugar) for energy. When you eat, your digestive system breaks down food into glucose, where it then enters your bloodstream. At this stage, glucose becomes blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. As your blood sugar level rises after a meal, your pancreas releases insulin to help cells take in and use the glucose.

But sometimes that doesn’t happen. When you’re insulin resistant, your muscle, fat and liver cells don’t respond properly to insulin. Your body thinks it needs more insulin to help glucose enter cells. Your pancreas then tries to keep up with this increased demand for insulin by producing more and eventually your pancreas fails to keep up with your body's need for insulin. When this happens, excess glucose builds up in your bloodstream, setting the stage for conditions like diabetes and PCOS (since it imbalances your other hormones).9 There’s another important point to mention here. While it’s true that weight can play a role in diabetes and insulin resistance, when it comes to PCOS, that’s not always the case. Research has shown, “Insulin resistance exists in non-obese women with PCOS as well as obese women with PCOS.”8

Symptoms

PCOS Depression and Other Symptoms

It cannot be overlooked that the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can be blamed for the depression this condition can cause. In fact, according to a City University in London study, "Women with PCOS on average tend to experience mildly elevated anxiety and depression, significantly more than women without PCOS."5

PCOS symptoms often occur in unique combinations from one case to the next, but they almost always include issues that are embarrassing, painful, or challenging to your identity. In fact, although it’s also known as PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disorder), you may not have Polycystic Ovaries. There could be other symptoms you experience. With body image being an issue of such central concern in today's culture, the visible symptoms associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have the power to render you very self-conscious.6 Thus, the physically painful symptoms can be an equal drain on your "good mood." Some of the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) include:1

• Irregular Menstrual Activity. From missing menstrual periods to those that occur sporadically, when you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) you often experience some form of irregularity in your cycle. Some months might be extremely painful and flow can vary from light to heavy.
• Anovulation and Oligoovulation. Anovulation occurs when no egg is released from your ovary. Oligoovulation is infrequent ovulation as opposed to not ovulating at all (anovulation). Both of these issues can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and the emotionally devastating symptom of infertility
• Infertility. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of female infertility and is the reason why many women discover that they have the condition. This symptom can be ruinous to your self-confidence, as many women's identities are closely linked to bearing children. Additionally, it can cause problems in marriage and relationships.
• Ovarian Cysts. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is named after the "string of pearls" appearance of cysts that is often found in the ovaries, but, again, this symptom doesn’t have to be present to achieve a positive diagnosis.
• Abnormal Hair Patterns. From loss of hair to excessive growth of hair, women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can experience a variety of visible and difficult to treat hair conditions. Women who have hair loss often showcase male pattern baldness, brought on by excess testosterone in their systems, while women who have hirsutism, or excess hair growth, experience extra hair on their chest, face, back, and other abnormal areas.
• • Obesity or Weight Gain. Common to many women with PCOS, weight gain and obesity are symptoms that have serious consequences for your health because excess weight tends to exacerbate other symptoms and health problems, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
• • Skin Conditions. Acne is common among women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), as is acanthosis nigricans - the development of thick, velvety patches of skin. Skin tags (harmless flaps of skin) also often occur.
• • Sleep Conditions. Insomnia and sleep apnea are common in women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Based on this list you can see how Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can lead to depression, as its symptoms are diverse and oftentimes difficult to cope with.

Health Risks

What Is Depression?

A possible PCOS mood disorder that can range from mild to severe, depression is a condition that has the capability to affect how you function on an everyday basis. Although some people see it as being sad or unhappy, depression is not something that individuals can control as easily as their emotions.2 Women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can suffer from one of three different kinds of depression:2

1. Seasonal Affective Disorder: This strain of depression occurs during winter or shorter days with a decrease in sunlight and causes periodic depression. Some researchers point to changing seasons as the culprit behind this illness.

2. Dysthymia: A chronic type of depression, dysthymia can last for months and can occur alongside other forms of depression.

3. Major Depressive Disorder: The most severe type of depression, this illness normally lasts weeks or months and causes individuals to have a difficult time functioning. This issue can occur as both a one-time problem and a recurring illness.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a highly personal condition, one that varies from one woman to the next, so really thereis no way to determine how it will affect you. Similarly, there is currently no way to predict how depression associated with PCOS will manifest itself.

The Link between Depression and Body Image

For women in today's culture, body image is a major issue. But it is not only body image in terms of one's reflection that is important; many women are concerned with how their bodies function. For example, not being able to have children might be a major blow to your identity. Then again, it might be weight gain, hair loss and/or acne. Even still, the dread of knowing the pain you’ll experience during your next cycle can cause depression.

A study conducted by Melissa Himelein and Samuel Thatcher has explored the correlation between depression and body dissatisfaction among women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).4 Participants in the study who suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) reported higher instances of depression and body dissatisfaction than women who did not have PCOS. In fact, body image was a strong component in depression, as many women cited it as a personal struggle. The good news, however, is PCOS symptoms can be controlled and you can do it naturally.